World News
Israeli Ministers Announce Discovery of 1948 Altalena Arms Ship Wreckage
The government claims the vessel will be salvaged, but commentators frame the announcement as an election tactic and experts question the feasibility of raising it.
The short version
- The wreckage of the Altalena, an arms ship sunk in 1948 during a confrontation between the fledgling Israeli army and the right-wing Irgun militia, was located on August 24 off the coast of Israel.
- Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced the find, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to salvage the ship as a historical symbol ahead of the October 27 elections.
- Critics and commentators have characterized the announcement as a political stunt to target the Israeli left, while experts cast doubt on whether Israel has the means to raise the 18,000-ton wreck.
Key facts
- The Altalena wreckage was located on August 24 at a depth of 503 meters off the coast of Israel.[France 24]
- Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced the discovery in a joint statement.[France 24]
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video statement celebrating the find and promising to raise the vessel from the seabed.[France 24]
- The Altalena was carrying arms and ammunition for the right-wing Irgun militia when it was shelled and sunk on orders from Israel's provisional government under David Ben-Gurion in 1948.[France 24]
- Sixteen Irgun members and three Israeli soldiers died during the 1948 confrontation before the ship was eventually towed out to sea and submerged in 1949.[France 24]
- Israel is scheduled to hold legislative elections on October 27.[France 24]
What remains uncertain
- It is uncertain whether the Israeli government can or will attempt to salvage the 18,000-ton wreck, as maritime archaeology expert Ehud Galili stated the operation exceeds capabilities currently available in Israel.[France 24]